Camping in Norway

In Norway you can enjoy a camping holiday in both summertime and wintertime. Having trouble choosing? Why not try at bit of everything! Try your luck at fishing in our countless rivers, lakes and fjords; visit our amusement parks and zoos, which offer hours of fun for the children; relax on asun-soaked rock at the water’s edge or go skiing in summer! The possibilities are endless and there are campsites all over Norway, whether you are holidaying by a fjord, in the mountains, by the sea or touring in our varied countryside.

The Norwegian Hospitality Association (NHO Reiseliv) has classified its camping sites with a rating system from 1 to 5 stars. Cabins are assessed in the same way, independently of the campsite, and are given one to five star ratings.

Look for this sign at reception. This sign symbolizes that the site has been classified and approved.

CAMPING HOLIDAYS
Norwegian camping holidays are of a high quality. A wide variety of fun activities and play areas is provided to ensure a holiday full of excitement and new experiences. Overnight prices for caravans, mobile homes and tents vary from campsite to campsite within each star rating. Opening times are normally from 0700 to 2300. The larger campsites tend to have someone on duty 24 hours a day.

WINTER CAMPING
Winter camping is becoming more and more popular, with both caravans and recreational vehicles. In Norway many camping sites are well equipped for winter stays. They have their own sanitary facilities, there are cabins for hire, electric heating is available, and there is a range of activities for children and adults of all ages. Winter camping sites are often located near winter sports facilities with alpine and crosscountry trails and luge and snowboarding options. Remember! It always pays to call in advance to check conditions and order a connection to the mains.

EXCELLENT FACILITIES FOR MOBILE HOMES
Mobile homes are welcome at our campsites. Safety and security are guaranteed. If you are travelling by mobile home in Norway, it is useful to know where you can fill up your tanks with clean water and dispose of rubbish and waste water without any hassle.

FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED
Most 3 star campsites have toilets and showers for the disabled. All 4 and 5 star campsites have toilets and showers for the disabled.

CABIN HOLIDAYS
Many campsites have good cabins available for rent. These often have high standard, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms and well-equipped kitchens. You will find cabins throughout Norway a real lot and set in beautiful surroundings. Bedclothes are available for hire at the site or you can bring your own. Price per cabin per day is NOK 250–1000 according to size, facilities and comfort. Please note that the cabin standard is assessed independently of the standard of campsites, i.e. a 2 star campsite may well have 5 star cabins.

CAMPING CHEQUES
One Camping Cheque is valid for 1 night for 2 people on a standard pitch with a caravan + car, motor home or tent, one domestic animal is included in the price of the Camping Cheque (on campsites that allow pets) as well as electric hookup and access to the washroom area. Look at internet: www.campingcheque.com

SAFETY AT THE CAMPSITE

At the campsite
When you arrive at a new campsite – get to know the safety rules. Do you know where to find the nearest telephone or fire hose or extinguisher? If you’re not sure – ask the reception.

The 3 metre rule
Place your caravan, tent etc. a good distance from your neighbours – at least three metres. Your car should be within these three metres. For more permanent installations, extensions, terraces etc., the local authorities may have specific fire safety regulations. Ask the owner of the campsite about any rules that apply.

Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers
All caravans and campervans in which people sleep should be equipped with smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. The smoke alarm should be fitted in the ceiling and the battery replaced at least once a year. Test the smoke alarm regularly.

Propane
Check pipes, hoses and connections before every season to avoid leaks. The propane tank should always be used and stored upright. If you lay it on its side, liquid propane will enter the valve and the safety valve will no longer function as intended. Do not expose the propane bottle to extreme heat or strong sunlight. Also install a propane alerts in the caravan/motorhome.

Heating
If heating is needed, use approved heaters that are specially designed for caravans, campervans or tents. An open flame must only be used in the open air.

Electrical systems and electrical apparatus
Check that electrical apparatus and systems are in good condition. Leads for outdoor use should be earthed and be no longer than 25 metres, minimum cross-section 2.5mm.

FISHING LICENCE
The right to fish for inland fish, crawfish, salmon, sea trout and sea char in watercourses belongs to the landowner. This applies equally to private landowners, the Norwegian Mountain Commons (local mountain boards) or Statskog. The fishing licence may be purchased near the fishing site, from the landowner, from sports shops, tourist information offices, campsites etc. The licence often states when, where and how you can fish. Usually you can choose from among the following options: 1-day, 2-day, weekly or season cards.

ANGLING IN THE SEA IS FREE OF CHARGE
There is no obligation to pay a fishing fee or purchase a fishing licence for leisure fishing for saltwater fish with a rod or hand-held line. The same thing applies to fishing in the sea for sea trout, salmon and sea char.

ANGLING TOURISM IN NORWAY– export restriction on fish and fish products.
From 1 June 2006, it is no longer permitted to export from Norway more than 15 kg of fish or fish products per person. The fisheries authorities are now calling on anglers to observe the same regulations as those which apply for professional fishermen in respect of minimum fish sizes. The export restriction applies for both round and gutted fish and for processed products such as fish fillets. Irrespective of the export restriction, an angler may take one whole fish (as a trophy) in addition to the permitted amount. The export restriction applies for all, including for Norwegian nationals.

ANGLING
Any person wishing to angle in Norway and being older than 18 now still requires the state angling licence (the “fiskeavgift”) only for salmon, sea trout and the Arctic char (salvelinus alpinus). The angling licence can be obtained at any post office.

NATIONAL PARKS
To safeguard the diversity of nature, 44 national parks have been established , 37 on the mainland and 7 in Svalbard. Each of the national parks is an area for the protection of a special type of nature flora and fauna – and very suitable for outdoor activities.

THE COMMON RIGHT OF ACCESS
Norway, Sweden and Finland share a very tolerant, liberal and traditional right: the common right of access, the maxim of which is: do not disturb, do not damage and respect people’s peace. The common right of access is held in high regard all over the Nordic countries and is a custom which is conscientiously maintained by the local people. In principle, the common right of access gives all individuals (but not groups) the right to roam freely on common land, that is to say public land, the coastline, beaches, nationally owned forest, mountains and open ground, always provided that neither people nor nature are disturbed or damaged. Visitors from abroad benefit from this common right too. With the more recent development of car and campervan tourism, however, the present custom is that common access may not be enjoyed in any kind of motor vehicle, only on foot. Naturally there are some rules which one must keep to; for example open fire is strictly forbidden from 15th April to 15th September. Show respect for fishing waters, hunting areas, protected plants and, above all, take care of the natural environment, especially in the far north. Remember that in principle no motorised transport (off-road vehicles, motor cycles, camper vans etc.) or off-road bicycles are allowed away from roads and paths. Nature, in the far north especially, is extremely sensitive to damage, disturbance or pollution. At these latitudes, nature regenerates very slowly – if at all.